The Athens City Council gathered Monday evening, passing an emergency ordinance that authorizes Mayor Steve Patterson to execute a combined participation agreement in the national opioid settlement.
According to the National Association of Attorneys General, drug manufacturers and distributors are being sued for the promotion of the nationwide opioid addiction crisis.
Fund distribution will follow the statewide governmental direct settlement agreement. OneOhio Recovery Foundation distributes 55% of the funds, while 30% is given to townships and 15% settles in the State of Ohio.
Patterson plans to utilize the funds allotted to educate K-12 students about the impacts of opioids and other drugs and to create workforce re-entry programs for people who are recovering from substance abuse disorder.
“I think that it would be impactful to do something right here in the city of Athens,” Patterson said.
Ordinance 0-90-25 allows the Service-Safety Director to advertise and accept bids for the leasing of the former fire department facility on Columbus Road.
Councilmember Micah McCarey, At-Large, acting as City Council president and chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee, established the building will still be owned by the city.
Bidders may lease the building for a minimum of one year, with a maximum of six years. Any more time would need the approval of the City Council.
Parties wanting to obtain rental dwelling, short-term rental and housing permits will need to adhere to the amendments of title 29, passed Monday.
Councilmember Alan Swank, D-4th Ward, and Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, introduced the need for permit holders to establish a designated local emergency contact and a $25 fee for each unit owned that is residing 50 miles or more outside the corporation limit.
“Heaven forbid something happens and the city needs to get a hold of the person responsible for the property, we will now have contact information for that individual,” Swank said.
All members of the Council introduced Ordinance 0-86-25 to amend the Athens City Code Title 1 for citywide code consistency.
The ordinance increases fees for garbage violations, littering violations, animal violations, water rates, sewer rates, sewer connections, contractor bags, parking rates and more.
Athens City Council authorized a right-of-way permit for an apartment building on 22 W. Stimson Ave. for the owner to place an in-ground sign in the corresponding curb strip.
All five ordinances stated were passed unanimously by the Council on Monday.
